The state Department of Labor honored area employers and employees at the agency’s annual safety awards banquet in cooperation with the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce on May 7 at Benvenue Country Club.

The awards honor outstanding on-the-job safety achievements of each recipient during 2018. The event was sponsored by Pfizer, Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant and the city of Rocky Mount.

“It’s really an honor for me to travel throughout the state and recognize these employers who are making a commitment to their employees’ safety and health,” state Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said in presenting the awards. “Over the years, North Carolina has experienced a declining injury and illness rate, which now rests at an all-time low 2.3 per 100 full-time workers for private industry.

“These employers continue to make North Carolina workplaces some of the safest in the country.”

Under program rules, companies must have been free of fatal accidents at the site for which the award is given to be eligible. The gold award criteria are based on a DART rate that is at least 50 percent below the statewide rate for its industry. The rate includes cases of days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer. The silver award is based only on cases with days away from work. They are recorded when the worker misses at least one full day of work, not including the day of the injury. The applicant must attain an incidence rate for cases with days away from work that is at least 50 percent below the rate for its industry.

“The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to host our annual safety awards luncheon. This year we were again pleased to partner the state Department of Labor in presenting the awards. This luncheon tradition allows businesses to help recognize best practices in the workplace and honor their teams for their dedication to job safety,” said , Rocky Mount Area Chamber President David Farris.